Normandy students head to Jefferson City to save their schools

WELLSTON (KPLR) – Normandy students and school district leaders plan to caravan to Jefferson City Wednesday morning.

The group is trying to rally support for Normandy Schools from state lawmakers.

A spokesperson for the Normandy School District is calling this a historic educational journey. The group planned to leave from Normandy High School at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The future of the district hangs in the balance as the school transfer drama continues to unfold. We are told more than 100 Normandy students are making this trip along with Normandy superintendent Ty McNichols, school board members and community supporters.

We understand the group will meet with state legislators and the students will make a presentation before returning this afternoon.

This comes as state lawmakers debate whether Normandy should receive taxpayer money to stay afloat. The Missouri House of Representatives approved the $5-million that Normandy asked for a week ago. But Tuesday, a Missouri Senate appropriations committee reduced that amounted to $1.5-million. A final decision on a dollar amount is still up in the air.

Our partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch are also reporting that a task force has been named that could help determine what happens to the Normandy district if it goes bankrupt.

The trip is part of a week of events in the Normandy District to support the schools here. It ends with a rally Saturday, March 15, 2014.